THE COUNTER LUNCH.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 584, 12 August 1909, Page 4

THE COUNTER LUNCH.

RESTAURATEURS' OBJECTIONS. HOT SAUSAGES. A deputation of restaurant-keepers waited on the Wellington Licensed Victuallers' Association yesterday morning to air what they cousidor a grievance. For some weeks past at least one hotelkeopor has been extending tho counter-luncli on novel lines (which havo boon explained in these columns), and this is talcen objection to by the keepers of tho cheaper class of restaurants. Mr. Domonech, representing this class, stated that they wci'o there to urge the association to use its influence to have tho counter-lunches of certain hotels discontinued. It was injuring their business, and would injure tho hfttelkeepcrs, for if they gavo away so much now, in another twelve months they would lavo to put on a better lunch. The deputation desired that pressure should be brought i} bear on thess hotclkeepers, who were inUtfemg 'unfairly with the restaurant trade? Air., if, Nathan asked Mr. Domenech to mine the hotels complained of. Mr, Domenoch said there were only ono or tv/o—one he was sure about. (Tho hotel was nanved.) Mr, Nathan: That is the boueo you tako most objection to? Mr. Domenech: "Yes. I have been thero once or twice myself. ' There you get sausages and hash/ with a hot potato, and bread, on plates—it is a full food. If that isn't enough you can fill up'with bread and cheese—this with beer for 4d. They- cook from 100 t0.150 pounds of sausages a day; that is not waste from the kitchen. '.It must como out of tho prolits of the bar. Now it was being continued until 10 o'olock at night." ' Mr. Boveridge: "Then you've no objection to the ordinary connter-lunch—tho linger-pieees on tho counter!'" Mr. Domenech: "No, it's only when they make a meal of it, and give them knives and forks and plates. Why don't they tako them into tho dining-room Mr. M'l'arland (president of the association) said'that/'as a matter of fact, the association had already waited on a licensee with regard to tho matter in the belief that live ana let live was tho proper maxim to go upon. He (the licensee) had, however, been limited to time, and they had not had an opportunity of going right into tho matter. "But," added Mr. M'Parland, "you havo our sympathies. Wo have enough difficulties to oontend with in our business without going into other people's. Tho association has no power to. prevent any member from giving away what ho ploascs in tho way of oounterlunch, but I pass'my word that everything in tho way of moral suasion shall bo done to modify the cause of your complaint." Mr. Nathan (to Mr. Domoneoh): "Why don't you interview —?" Mr. Domenech: "I objcct to that. Wo do not want to beg nor to command —wo como bb on© body of business men to another to ask what wo consider something fair." : Mr. Williams said a phase of tho matter which had been raised outside was whether tho licensee was not a public benefactor by giving this lunch to working, men iu a time of dire distress.

Mr. Domenech thought that if that waß the case'lie might give it away Without tho beer—but no one could get, oven a sausage without buying beer. , ' Mr. Beveridgo stated that ho was one who would give .up thocounter-luncli to-morrow if all the others agreed to do so. Mr. Dwyer was of opinion that tho publio might resent that. Tiio giving of counterlunch was an old-established custom. What was complained of was the abuso of that custom.- •• Mr. -M'Parland: "It's just like drinking whisky—it's the abuse, not tho use, that does the, mischiof." Ho pointed out that tho counter-lunch was stopped by ; a reoommendation of tho Licensing Committee at l'ort Chalmers, with the result that at the next- election they voted No-Licehse. There-, fore, ho did not believe in dispensing with, tho old custom, but in tho case Of excessive counter-lunches they were with tho deputation to a man. ,A strong deputation would wait sl on the 'licensee referred' to to* thrash tho matter out, and the. deputation would; bo informed of the result. After the' deputation' had withdrawn, the, hoWl-proprietor referred to wa6_ interviewed' by the deputation from tho Licensed Victuallers' Association, and it' is understood that he promised to modify some of the conditions under which tho lunch was given in the back bar. '